James Haskell has revealed his new dad-in-law, Richard Madeley, tried to get him to change his surname.

The rugby star tied the knot to Chloe Madeley over Christmas, and the pair filmed a TV show with Richard and Demort O'Leary which will air later in the year.

Apparently the Team Madeley mantra was one Richard wanted to stick to, with James having to firmly insist that he and Chloe were now official Haskells.

He told the Loose Women panel: "He did actually want me to be a Madeley, we did a show coming out in the summer with Dermot O'Leary and we were Team Madeley, and he tried to make me a Madeley.

Chloe and James appeared on Loose Women (Image: ITV)

James admitted Richard's attempts to change his name (Image: ITV)

"He is British TV heritage so I just did what I was told."

But according to Chloe, even she has dropped the Madeley name, in everything but her showbiz life.

She told the panel that her name will still appear on any new books or when she appears on TV shows, however in every other part of her life she will go traditional and instead, be known as Chloe Haskell.

James also revealed details of his first meeting with Richard and Judy [Finnigan,] the presenting pair who have been stalwarts of daytime TV.

James also had to tone down his 'rugby banter' (Image: ITV)

When asked whether he now refers to them as Mum and Dad, he said: "Not really, I just call them Richard and Judy.

"When I first met them, Chloe said, 'they’re not rugby people, so they won’t appreciate your rugby banter,'" adding that Richard is a "sensitive guy" so would not like to be teased and japed with, as rugby players might.

But things seem to have changed as now James does tease him now, apparently, with Chloe shockingly adding: "They swear a lot at each other - but in an affectionate way!"

The pair have both released fitness-related books over the winter, after tying the knot in December.